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3 October 2018
President Sundra called the meeting to order
 
Members present:  Sundra, Matts, Seeme, Bina, Mahbub, Alix, Peggy, Jeffrey, Harvey, Ali, Richard, Shahid, Barbara, Philippe, Loren, Parul
 
Guests: DG Kris Chittur, (Speaker) PDG Michael Caruso of Rotary Club of Newburgh, Oregon, Atul Saxena

Meeting Highlights:
Sundra opened the Meeting, which had the highest attendance this year. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation by Philippe.  Members recited the 4-way test and sang the club song.

Visiting Rotarian PDG Michael Caruso of District 5100 Oregon is a member of Grassroots Peacemaking and former volunteer at United States Peace Corps.  PDG Caruso stated that this year 18 Districts are with the Peace Club
 
District Governor Kris Chittur: Lauding our Club as one of the vibrant Clubs in the District, DG Kris Chittur commended the past Presidents of the Club for leading the Club to where it is today.  He particularly congratulated the Club and Past President Alix on achieving the Presidential Citation the second year in a row.  He was confident that the Club do the same this year.   DG Kris also presented the Paul Harris Fellow pins to President-Elect Shahid and Club Rotary Foundation Chair Bina, saying contributions to the Rotary International Foundation are extremely important.  He emphatically said "it is your money that is feeding a destitute child in India,or sending another child to school in remote Africa or providing clean drinking water to communities in Latin America.  It is your money that has brought the world so close to ending Polio"
 
He further said people do remarkable things for benefit of others. He referred to a $200 million project in Bangalore, India which will benefit many people there.
 
DG Kris offered to provide any assistance from the District and himself for the Club that will help us to reach our goals.  He congratulated Pete Spano and the Club for the Dream Court project that has been in the works for 3 years and finally is coming to fruition. DG Kris asked the Club to think Big and perhaps not limit ourselves to only 2 courts. He said a project could be to fix the toilets in all of Yonkers Schools. 

DG Kris said there will be disasters or crises around the world. Rather than try to assist with every disaster or crisis, try to involve those from the affected area living in our area to magnify everyone’s efforts, by combining efforts of multiple Clubs/Districts and partner organizations. Identify someone in the Club who will run with the ball. He gave the example of the disastrous flooding in the southern Indian state of Kerala, caused by heavy rains. He also mentioned Tsunami and its impact and what Rotarians can take initiative to help needy.  The needs are huge, and coordination of efforts is very important.  He suggested as a possibility, a multi-District fundraiser for the Kerala Floods, involving the community from Long Island and Brooklyn. Our Club will work with District to organize a large fund-raiser.  Shahid said he knows 30 families in his complex, from Kerala and was enthusiastic about helping them.  The Governor asked Shahid to speak with those families and let him know further details on how to move forward.  He asked if the Club wants to take the lead or should the District to take the lead.  Bina suggested that if District takes the lead, we may have more Clubs joining in the effort.
 

DG Kris said it is very important to engage a new Member right away. He suggested that the Club could consider allocating $500 to each new member for a project run by the new member with the advice of 2 other senior members of the Club. This way the new member will feel recognized and immediately see that he/she can have an impact on the community.
 
He mentioned that the Friendship Exchange to Mumbai, India will take place in February 2019.  Applications will be on the website next week and the deadline is 15 November.

DG Kris emphasized that the Youth Exchange Scholarship Program (YESP) is an important activity of the District. The information session on 13 September generated some interest. However, we need to get the students interested perhaps through their Guidance Counselors and/or language teachers. Pete Spano and Ali Koprencka will try to arrange presentations to some schools. He asked the Club Members to visit the District website and watch the video of the week, posted every week.

DG Kris further emphasized the importance of keeping proper records for Fundraising to avoid complaints and complications.  He cautioned against mixing up funds and to ensure that funds raised are used solely for the purpose for which they are raised, otherwise, under NY State law the funds have to be returned to the Donor.  He said he does not want to have any Club in the District engage in such practice.  

Dream Court: Barbara spoke about payment of 10,000 for Basketball court. She said the existing court is in terrible shape and needs to be safe for players.  Our project will build two courts which will have anti bullying program.  Rotary International is interested in doing a documentary on our Project.   Mahbub commended Pete for his tireless dedication to the Dream Court Project.  Sundra appreciated Barbara for her help in the Project.
 
Concert for Liberia: Jeffrey reported on the oldies Concert for the Library in Liberia which is on 20th October. Tickets are $22.  So far only 8 members have bought tickets.  There will be a bake sale.  Mahbub added he has heard back from the Rotary Club of Sinkor, and they have agreed to be a partner in the project.  But he said it is extremely important for us to receive more details about the project from Sam which we are yet to receive. 
 
Holiday Raffle: Harvey and Barbara distributed tickets to members to promote Holiday Raffle

Philippe’s visit to South Africa: Philippe said he has just returned from his trip to South Africa. There are so many things he didn’t understand. There are lots of problems between the white and black population and racial discrimination is still high. He further said he found many South Africans blame Mandella for not forgiving his wife but he forgave most others.
 
Lots of pictures were taken with the District Governor and everyone was excited to be there.  The Meeting ended in a happy note.   
 
Sundra adjourned meeting.
50/50
Richard won $13
 
QUEEN’S DOWRY
The winning card is the Queen of Hearts.
 
There was no Queens Dowry winner
 
Happy Bucks collected - $39
Bina deposited to the Bank
 
 
Upcoming Events
Holiday Raffle
Oct 08, 2018 - Dec 15, 2018
 
Fundraiser for "Library in Liberia"
Will Library Auditorium
Oct 20, 2018
5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
 
Meeting Glimpses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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